CCTV probe after checkpoint death

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Police will investigate installing CCTV cameras in booze buses after the death of a Hamilton woman at an alcohol checkpoint on Saturday night.

Elizabeth Jill Gilbertson, 56, was unable to be revived after collapsing during the breath-screening process. She died inside the bus about 10.30pm, some 15 minutes after being pulled over by police in a routine stop.

Investigations are still underway into investigating the the circumstances surrounding Ms Gilbertson's death, but preliminary post-mortem findings suggest she died from natural causes.

The matter is now under investigation by the Coroner, Police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

Last night Police Association president Greg O'Connor told Waikato Times the addition of CCTV cameras in booze buses "might not be a bad idea."

"There are CCTV cameras in watch-houses and all over police stations and I guess it would be a logical extension," he said.

However he said the costs involved with such a move would need to be carefully considered.

"You have got to be careful you are not introducing another costly compliance system that then becomes a very expensive millstone around everyone's neck."

"And that is one of the things we will look at as we look towards what lessons we might learn from these occasions, if there is something that will be helpful for us in the future should this occur ever again."

Ms Gilbertson was the sole occupant of her Nissan car when she was stopped on Cambridge Road, Hillcrest.

An initial breath screening test indicated the presence of alcohol.

What, if any, alcohol Ms Gilbertson had consumed would become apparent in toxicology tests which could be several days, or weeks, away, Mr Page said.

Unable to complete a breath screening test, Ms Gilbertson was taken to the booze bus, described by Mr Page as a "quite confined space".

Ms Gilbertson was co-operative with the officers the entire time, he said.

Once inside the booze bus, Ms Gilbertson was required by police to undergo an evidential breath test – a breath test for a machine that determines if a person is legally under or over the limit.